Making your pantry a priority
I used to buy any necessary ingredients for a recipe without much thought as to what I was accumulating in my pantry. But flipping that mindset to shopping for a group of staples that had multiple uses helped me redefine my pantry’s purpose. No longer was it a closet just for storage, it had become a place that held endless cooking possibilities. Hey, I could even make apple spice muffins whenever the mood struck me because the ingredients were always on hand.
When you open your pantry door what do you see? Consider removing items you don’t use very often and don’t try to over haul your contents overnight—begin small by making a few ingredient swaps slowly over time. It’s so worth the effort, because these pantry decisions determine what you’ll able to cook. So do yourself a big favor and stock your pantry deliberately.
Pantry inspiration
Near the front of most cookbooks, the author will introduce the spices, ingredients, and sometimes a list of equipment used in preparing the food they’re planning to show you how to make. Don’t skip over this section in a rush to get to the recipes. This resource section is invaluable, introducing you to new produce, ingredients, or spices, and an ideal way for you to begin thinking about stocking your own pantry.
My pantry
The list below reflects the pantry preferences for my cooking and my family’s taste. Pasta is not included and the flours are gluten-free because we try to limit our gluten intake. Your pantry should take into consideration your own family’s dietary needs and tastes.
Flours
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Besan flour
Fats
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Avocado oil
- Ghee
- Coconut oil
Vinegars
- Raw unpasteurized cider vinegar
- Unseasoned rice vinegar
- Red wine vinegar
- White wine vinegar
Sweetners
- Coconut palm sugar
- Dried dates
- Maple syrup
- Raw honey
- Pomegranate Molasses
Whole Grains
- Buckwheat
- Oats
- White basmati rice
- Short grain rice
- Jasmine rice
Legumes
- Pinto beans
- Fava beans
- Cannellini beans
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
Baking Essentials
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Dark chocolate
- Arrowroot
Nuts and Seeds
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
- Sesame seeds
Other Basic Ingredients
- Sea salt
- Kosher salt
- Black whole peppercorns
- Dried herbs and spices
- Anchovy paste
- Whole plum Italian tomatoes (canned)
- Tuna or salmon (canned)
- Coconut milk (canned)
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Tahini
- Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
- Mirin
- Rose water
- Orange blossom water